The Solution?

The Outcome?

Modernised & scalable IT strategyEffective management system to aid business growthRobust solutions for field-based staff to work effectively

Integrated and streamlined business systems

In-house maintenance of business-critical systems

Services used:

IT consultancy and strategy

IT Infrastructure

IT managed services

Software development

Helpdesk support

Portal creation

Lifetime Training Group (‘Lifetime’) has appeared in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 between 2009 and 2011. Founded in 1995 by former teacher Heather Frankham, Lifetime has grown from a company of 10 staff to a team of over 600, to become one of the UK's top training providers, operating nationwide.

“Three years after founding the company we were still using paper-based systems,” explains Heather. “Our accountant recommended I speak to Chorus, who developed a simple network and a contacts database for us, which transformed the way we were able to manage our business.”

The business relationship strengthened as Chorus began to support Lifetime with software development, helpdesk services and hardware and mobile device specification and installation. Chorus has also advised the board on IT strategy, developing a flexible, resilient technology infrastructure for the growing organisation. Crucial to fulfilling this growth potential, the team designed and built the first ‘Eportfolio’ system – a comprehensive database of learners’ details, training records and assessments of their progress.

The Chorus team consistently provide a level of service above and beyond that of most organisations. Chorus removed uncertainties and have helped us grow rapidly, outstripping our competitors.Lifetime

“Chorus expanded the Eportfolio system to include full and detailed evidence tracking,” recounts Heather. “They also helped us transition the maintenance and ongoing development of Eportfolio in-house (we now have an in-house IT development team) but still advise and support us on each next-generation development. They also created online portals for us – secure, centralised online access to training records. Students can log on to review their projects, their progress and additional resources to help them, while employers can track how well their employees are doing.”

“As we mainly have field-based staff we needed ways to share, collaborate and monitor activity without travelling great distances. Now, all our field staff remotely synchronise their activities each day into a central repository. This visibility enabled the business to grow rapidly while being able to manage the risks associated. Having seen some competitors grow without effective systems in place and subsequently go under, I was determined this would not happen to Lifetime. Mark, Simon and the team at Chorus have enabled and continue to support our growth. Mark always explains our options with recommended alternatives which will carry us through expansion. They really understand the impacts of change and growth on a business.”

What next?

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